The other thing about checked baggage is the damn TSA agents security checking it or the baggage handlers are prone to stealing anything valuable they find. This has been documented numerous times. I've had TSA agents steal things from me, including my very first smart phone, only 24 hours after buying it (I purchased it FOR the trip).
These people need to go to jail for a long time; just not fired. Imagine if a dusky skinned fellow asked them to PLACE something in a bag... for say, $100,000? I'm sure any real American would do no such thing, but a TSA agent who steals from the public? Well, he's already a criminal....
Good advice. I do that now myself.
I flew to San Francisco on a Business trip on 9/11/2002.
There were only Thirteen Passengers on the Plane and I checked my Baggage. Only took my Laptop as a Carryon.
I flew United (cough, cough)and when I arrived I found out they sent by Luggage to Denver. Lucky for me, the Bag got to me before Noon the next day.